Learning Activity

Are You Sure You Are Safe?

Subject Area

Digital Literacy and Computer Science

Grade(s)

Overview

Students will view a video outlining ways to identify the security of a web page. Students will then seek online examples of secure and non-secure web pages, listing what information could be in danger should one choose to use a particular site.

This activity was created as a result of the DLCS COS Resource Development Summit.

Content Standards

Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 6

DLCS18.6.9
Differentiate between a secure and a non-secure website including how they affect personal data.

Unpacked Content

Knowledge

Students know:

how to identify a website as secure or unsecure.
that sharing personal data can be dangerous.

Skills

Students are able to:

recognize that secure web address begins with "https" and that a security symbol is displayed in the address bar such as a lock, etc.

Understanding

Students understand that:

any information provided while navigating an unsecure website can negatively affect users.

Interdisciplinary Connections

Phase

During/Explore/Explain

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to identify a web page as either secure or non-secure.

Students will be able to identify the data at risk should a user choose to use a non-secure website.

Activity Details

After viewing the Common Craft Secure Websites video, students will identify methods of determining a website’s safety (https, padlock icon in the browser, color, company name in the browser).

Students will create a list of commonly used secure web addresses by going to websites they commonly use (Amazon, Google, etc.) and determine if they pass the test and are, in fact, secure.

Students will create a list of non-secure web addresses by either researching non-secure sites or by having students evaluate a list of teacher-selected websites. Here is an example, but because these sites are being updated daily, it could become obsolete soon.

Students will outline possible risks to using a non-secure website for online transactions such as the possibility of a hacker intercepting your personal data and stealing from your bank or credit card account.

Assessment Strategies

Students will create a publication (of the student or teacher’s choosing) that outlines at least two methods for determining website security and at least two possible risks of using non-secure websites. The publication can be a brochure (hand-created or digital), a poster or wall-hanging, or any other artifact of the teacher's choosing.

Students creating a digital publication can do so in Google Docs, Publisher, Word, Slides, PowerPoint, or any other platform they have experience of comfort in working with.

Sample Print Publication Rubric

Acceleration and Intervention

Variation Tips

Students may wish to create a wall display (bulletin board or display similar to a word wall) of secure and non-secure sites. This would allow students to check the sites over time to see if the company ever felt it necessary to secure their sites appropriately.

Students could also take this lesson a step further by contacting websites that are non-secure and providing reasons to secure their sites.

Background and Preparation

Background / Preparation

It would be a good idea to download the Common Craft Secure Websites video if you have an account, but it is not required.

Digital Tools / Resources

Secure Websites Video from Common Craft

https://www.commoncraft.com/video/secure-websites

Approved Date

2018-07-20

Author

Owner (Author)

aimeebates

Design by Adaptive Theme

Learning Resource Type